Hummer HX Concept: Coarse Coupe

The Hummer HX Concept features modularbody work - roof, doors, flares and windows

The HX Concept gets a 3.6-litre E85 V6 engine

The new all-American HX Concept is aimed ata younger demographic than other Hummers

Detroit, America — The company behind the Hummer brand, General Motors, unleashed
the latest evolution of the Hummer brand with the HX Concept at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show.

Showing
off a daring new design, which was penned by a trio of young designers
in the States, the new concept provides a glimpse at the future design
direction of the Hummer brand.

Already being nicknamed the H4,
the Hummer HX Concept adds to the growing number of 2-door SUV
concepts from companies such as Land Rover, and will be
motivated by a 3.6-litre E85 ethanol-powered V6 FlexFuel engine.

With
the Hummer H3 now available in Australia, it opens up new avenues for
the brand in this country, and seeing as this concept is the smallest
Hummer yet, it could prove to be even more popular than current models.

"The HX is Hummer’s vision of an agile, trail-ready, open-air vehicle
that fits the lifestyles of everyone who needs or wants to drive off
road," said Martin Walsh, the general manager of Hummer in the States.

Styled
by three of GM's youngest designers, the new model could precede a
cost-effective production model aimed at younger drivers.

Smaller than the H3 which is currently available in Australia, the open-air,
2-door off-road HX Concept adheres to both the Hummer design DNA and a
legacy of hardcore off-road capabilities. The ride height and tyre size
suggest the vehicle will be capable of hitting the rough stuff.

With
removable doors and roof, the Hummer HX Concept takes after the Jeep
Wrangler as a modular open air vehicle and as Carl Zipfel,
director of
design at Hummer explains, this is part of the evolution of the
brand.

"The modular design of the roof and removable body panels mark an
evolution of Hummer’s design aesthetic. These features demonstrate a deeper understanding of
enthusiast desires when it comes to off-road driving – and the
slant-back design gives the HX a look all its own," says Zipfel.

The roof panels allow for three distinct modes:

Roof completely removed

Slant-back sports wagon

Traditional wagon (more cargo space)

The Hummer HX Concept shown at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show features the slant-back configuration.

With
full-time 4WD, V6 power, and 6-speed auto gearbox, the new Hummer is
already being touted as a potential production model to extend the
brand.

Reports that GM's top brass have already discussed the
vehicle's future have been circulating. According to some sources, a
new model based on the HX Concept could be on sale by 2010.

"Hummer
appeals to young people globally and served as a perfect first
assignment for our newest [design] talent," said Ed Welburn, one of
General Motor's most influential executives. The vice president of
global design has been a big supporter of the new Camaro
which is being developed here in Australia, and lending his weight to
this Hummer concept enhances it's chances for a real-world introduction.

While the 4WD, V6-powered driveline is important, it is the design that's key to the vehicle's allure.

If show goers like what they see at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, the Hummer HX Concept could be on the road within three years.